HELPING NEIGHBORS

Patrician Society has seen a dramatic increase in clients Food cupboard helping folks who are out of work due to COVID-19

NORRISTOWN » The Patrician Society, one of the area’s most prominent food pantries, is seeing a rise in business as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

“We are seeing an increase in our food cupboard from people who are now out of work,” noted Executive Director LeeAnn Rooney. “We doubled our numbers in the past week.”

The Patrician Society, which was founded in 1981, is located at 701 Green St., Norristown, and open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m.

“Normally we would see about 35 to 50 clients in a day and yesterday (Tuesday) we saw 107,” Rooney said.

“Since the lockdown of Montgomery County, the Patrician Society has seen a 100 percent increase in clients coming to the food cupboard. They have been restaurant employees, day workers, who are unexpectedly finding themselves out of work without resources that they normally have.”

The organization has now put into place safety protocol for staff, volunteers and clients as recommended for Hunger Relief Organizations.

“We are serving our clients outdoors keeping six feet distance between the client and staff, as well as client to client,” Rooney pointed out. “We are very thankful for the local food resource organizations such as SHARE food program, MAHN, Philabundance, and the Montco Anti-Hunger Network. These organizations are a large part of the reason that the Patrician Society can provide the service we do. We are receiving food from St. Philip Neri Wawa Rescuers, Mitzvah Circle, Giant Food Stores, MAHN Food Rescue, Caring for Friends, Philabundance, and some of our regular private donors who are not impacted by the Covid19

“Since the lockdown of Montgomery County, the Patrician Society has seen a 100 percent increase in clients coming to the food cupboard.” — Executive Director LeeAnn Rooney

SUBMITTED PHOTO Manning the tables for pickup outside the Patrician Society are, from left, Jackie DiPasquale, Food Cupboard and Volunteer Coordinator, Debbie D’Orazio, volunteer, and LeeAnn Rooney, Executive Director.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Volunteer Debbie Orazio prepares for cupboard opening.